The Tiger's Apprentice (Tiger's Apprentice, Bk. 1)

It isn't every day you meet a tiger, and certainly not a tiger in a suit and tie who informs you the fate of the world is in your hands.

Tom has always felt different from everyone else living in San Francisco's Chinatown, but he has no idea just how very different he is until he discovers he's part of a long line of magic-wielding beings called Guardians. For centuries, a Guardian has protected a powerful talisman that can either bring peace to the world or cause its destruction. For centuries, it has been kept safe - until now.

The most evil being of all has sent his terrifying minions to lay siege to the talisman and its latest Guardian, a tiger called Mr. Hu. The Guardian has his own allies in the battle, including an outlaw dragon, a mischievous monkey, and his new apprentice - Tom. But Tom doesn't want to be the tiger's apprentice. What can he possibly do to help? And can they all stop bickering long enough to unite their powers in time?